Is Granite Porous Or Nonporous

For example limestone is very porous when compared to quartzite and granite isn t as porous as marble.

Is granite porous or nonporous.

To better understand the natural porosity of granite it helps to understand the following details. Being porous is not necessarily a bad quality. How porous your granite countertop is will depend on how it is finished and how it is treated. Granite is a porous material.

Common hard surface materials are stainless steel solid surface laminate porcelain and a wide variety of tile and ridged plastic materials. Polished granite is the most durable most granite countertops are polished then sealed making them nearly impermeable. Granite while it is a very hard substrate it is still somewhat porous. Just last week i inspected a granite that had severe water damage so you never know here s a test you can perform.

Hard surfaces are a combination of porous and nonporous materials. Answer 1 of 1. Granite countertops are porous if left unsealed. Alas its porous surface is granite s kryptonite.

Often overlooked are details such as the material surface texture. If the area is darker then the rest of your granite it means that it has adsorbed some of the water rendering it porous. This means that if it is not properly sealed liquid is able to penetrate its surface. The general composition of granite includes silicon dioxide feldspar mica and various minerals.

Granite is usually non porous but there are exceptions. Most fabricators will apply a sealer to granite countertops before they are installed which will protect them from absorbing liquids too quickly. Granite is a naturally porous stone though it s not as porous as some other types of natural stone like marble. When a surface is nonporous such as stainless steel it cannot absorb anything at all.

If liquids are left on the surface for long periods of time they will eventually absorb. Also granite is immune from the damages of most common household acids. Put a few drops of water on it and wait 30 minutes. Granite is an igneous rock.

Come back and wipe the area. Some of the more common porous surfaces include laminate granite and various types of tile and plastic materials. If liquid or stains get down into the stone it can result in damages and weakening of your granite. Polishing the stone creates a flat smooth surface that reduces the porosity.

This means granite has tiny crevices or holes that allow air and water into the stone. Even worse germs bacteria and mold can invade unsealed granite counter tops with stains running not far behind. Primarily the sealing is done to keep harmful bacteria from penetrating the stone and transferring to food items.